This condo was designed for a great client: a young professional male with modern and unfussy sensibilities. The goal was to create a space that represented this by using clean lines and blending natural and industrial tones and materials. Great care was taken to be sure that interest was created through a balance of high contrast and simplicity. And, of course, the entire design is meant to support and not distract from the incredible views. Photos by: Chipper Hatter

Sauna

Beilman Architecture

D. Beilman
This is an example of a small scandinavian multipurpose gym in Boston.

Children Game Room

Bercy Chen Studio

Inspiration for a small eclectic home climbing wall in Austin with white walls.

Shenandoah Estates

Warm Timber Saunas & Wine Cellars

This "vapor-lock" overhead fixture lights the sauna and contains the steamy moisture from the Combi heater. The manual sliding ceiling vent helps allow airflow which rids the sauna of carbon dioxide, making the air fresh to breathe.

Battle Associates Outbuildings

Battle Associates, Architects

Outbuildings grow out of their particular function and context. Design maintains unity with the main house and yet creates interesting elements to the outbuildings itself, treating it like an accent piece.

Luxury Townhouse

The Next Level

Home gym with built in TV and ceiling speakers.
Photo of a small transitional home gym in London with light hardwood floors.

Zen Craftsman Bungalow

Smart Interiors

The home gym is light, bright and functional. Notice the ceiling is painted the same color as the walls. This was done to make the low ceiling disappear.

Eco Luxe Spa

User

The cabinetry are made locally with FSC wood, non-toxic finishes and knobs (which look like ivory) made from renewable Tagua nut. The counters are recycled marble and the facade of the desk is natural shell laminate. The curtains are made by fair trade artisans from silk and the floor is formaldehyde-free bamboo. The walls are reclaimed wood from an Amish barn built in the 1800s. It is decorated with more of the natural shell laminate at chair rail height.

LUXURY HOUSE PUNTA BRAVA I

DNA BARCELONA ARCHITECTS

Inspiration for a small contemporary home gym in Barcelona with brown walls and medium hardwood floors.

DE BEAUVOIR

User

Plaster pink walls and ceiling create a holistic environment for strength training and meditation.
Small eclectic multipurpose gym in London with pink walls, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and wallpaper.

Home Gym with Peleton

Orren Pickell Building Group

Small traditional multipurpose gym in Milwaukee with blue walls and medium hardwood floors.

Zen Pilates Studio

Hem Collective

This small but mighty home gym features fun wallpaper, cork flooring, a mirror with a lit reveal, a Swedish ladder system, and custom casework.
Photo of a small contemporary home gym in Portland with white walls, cork floors and brown floor.

Shenandoah Estates

Warm Timber Saunas & Wine Cellars

Even in a small sauna like this an "L" shaped lower bench return allows for extra seating.
Design ideas for a small scandinavian home gym in Other.

Small Home Gym Design Ideas

A home gym can be a worthwhile investment, helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle, and saving you money in the long-run, too. All you need is a small exercise nook or a spare room that can be stocked with gym equipment. Strapped for cash? Workouts at home needn’t cost a cent; just throw down an exercise mat at the foot of your bed and voila. Home gym equipment can be large and bulky – a cross trainer, rowing machine or bench press, for example, will dominate most rooms. There are, however, alternative options for getting fit. Before you start planning the space, decide on what you actually enjoy doing, and what equipment you will get the most use out of. Depending on your budget and interests, you could have a yoga studio, meditation room, weights room, basketball court or even a dance studio. Browse the photos on Houzz for ideas and inspiration for home gyms, and save your favourites to an ideabook. Once you're ready, you can find the architect or interior designer to help bring your vision to life.

What kind of home gym should I have?

To get the most out of your home gym, plan a space that will allow you to incorporate many different fitness regimes. A spare room can be transformed into a hub for aerobics, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, dancing and cardio – just add timber floorboards or rubber flooring, a mirrored wall, an exercise machine, some dumbbells, a TV and a killer sound system. This way, there’s something for the whole family. If you have the space and enjoy doing specific workouts, consider making a specialty room like a yoga studio.

How do I create a double-duty exercise room?

Make the most of your home gym by making it a dual-purpose room. You could combine your gym with an office space, playroom, guest bedroom or garage, for example. Consider which space is most practical. A treadmill in your bedroom won’t be ideal if you workout at the crack of dawn while your partner is still sleeping; likewise, you won’t want to lift weights in a garage that turns into a sweatbox in the summer because it isn’t insulated.

What kind of home gym equipment do I need?

Again, this depends on what you enjoy doing most. Yoga mats, dumbbells and punching bags are popular purchases, or you could splurge on big-ticket items like a treadmill or multi-functional home gym system. Additional extras to help get you in the zone include a sound system, wall-mounted TV, as well as a mini bar to store cold drinks. Don’t forget to allow for efficient ventilation and cooling.